prisoners for christ (web page) outreach...
TRANSCRIPT
Prisoners for Christ (web page) Outreach Ministries
Greg & Rhonda Von Tobel – Greg is President of PFC
In 1989, Greg Von Tobel began Prisoners for Christ Outreach Ministries (PFC) in the offices of
Overlake Christian Church with a vision to bring the redeeming message of the gospel into the
jails, prisons, and juvenile centers here in the Northwest, giving inmates the opportunity to know
our Savior Jesus Christ. Today, with the motto of “One Cell at a Time”, PFC is in 32 correctional
centers in Washington state, 2 in Florida, and multiple international locations (Africa & Asia).
Some Facts about Prison Ministry
America incarcerates more of its citizens per capita than any other nation in the world.
According to the US Department of Justice, there are today, more than 1.7 million adults
who are incarcerated in the jails and prisons of the US. This does not include the 690,000
who are on parole or the 3 million who are on probation.
Our government reports indicate that 75% of the released prison population is rearrested
within four years.
A recent study conducted by the Billy Graham organization showed that the rate in which
individuals return to prison drops 32% if an inmate, while in prison, becomes involved
with a bible study or church service at the prison chapel. If an inmate is connected with
an outside church within the first year of their release, their rate of returning to prison
(this is called recidivism … new word for the day) decreases by another 10%.
Those incarcerated in third world prisons are an “unreached people group” not yet
identified and sanctioned by modern mission planners. These forgotten inmates are truly
the least of the least.
Inmates in the African prisons listen intently to PFC missionaries, taking notes on the
palms of their hands with ink pens as a means of studying the bible. We should pray that
God’s word would forever be written in their hearts!
Doors for international prison work are wide open and there are pockets of revival
breaking out in 3rd
world prisons. The banquet table in heaven will be lined with the
throwaways of the world.
Many youth cannot hear God’s voice when they are out in the community because drugs,
street life, violence, sex and chaos has stifled their ears to God’s voice. When they are
suddenly forced into a quiet place…often a cell, the distractions are gone. The chaos of
their old life is stripped away and they come face to face with a loving God. It is because
of this dynamic that the Correspondence Bible Studies have a tremendous impact on
believers behind bars.
PFC Strategic Priorities
Establish national PFC Prison Ministry Centers in strategic metropolitan areas in
America.
Own and operate an Aftercare Facility.
Expand number of inmates on the Bible Study Correspondence student roster.
Increase annual production of tracts.
Increase volume of “Yard Out” newspapers produced and distributed.
Increase the number of foreign national missionaries.
Increase the number of inmates worldwide coming to PFC sponsored church services.
Increase our volunteer base worldwide.
Increase total number of Bibles or New Testaments distributed annually.
Become a world wide leader in prison ministry training.
PFC method for impacting the global prison community for God’s Glory is based on a strategy
they’ve coined as “Life VEST”
Visit – Proclaiming the Gospel to the Incarcerated
o Worship services
o One-on-one
o Concerts & Events
o Bible study
o Pen pals
Equip – To prepare God’s People for works of service
o Mentoring
o Yard Out
o Bible Study correspondence school
o Literature distribution
Support – Offering hope by connecting families
o Family van transportation
Transition – Building bridges for a productive return to society
o Aftercare programs
o Church connections
Some 2009 PFC Statistics
148,000 inmates received Christ (salvations).
500,000 inmates were in attendance at PFC various services and programs.
1800 inmates were involved in Bible Correspondence School. The goal is to double that
to 3600 inmates in three years.
557 individuals took advantage of the van transportation
Standing Stones Ministries
In 2005, PFC opened a faith-based, Christ-centered Northwest Transitional Living (NWTL)
center “providing a healthy environment where individuals struggling with drug and alcohol
dependencies could successfully deal with the issues that have impacted their lives. NWTL is a
regeneration ministry combining biblical classroom teaching, job work ethics therapy, and family
reconciliation.” The center, known as Standing Stones Ministries is “nestled in the foothills of
the Cascade Mountains in Eastern Washington. This 40 acre orchard produces apples, cherries,
pears and peaches. The name is taken from the two instances in the Bible where the Lord
instructed the nation of Israel to erect stones as a “lasting” testimony to future generations that
God had done something incredible in their midst. The men who successfully complete the
program are modern day “living” Standing Stones; a lasting testimony that the Lord is still in the
miracle business today, redeeming lives previously racked by drug and alcohol.”
Prayer Requests
Pray for ongoing ministry trips to central Africa (Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, and Uganda) for the
building up of leadership skills amongst the PFC native missionaries and helping them to expand
their ministry vision.
In 2011, PFC will be making ministry trips to Russia, Ghana, India, and Nepal.
In regards the Standing Stones Ministries (Clean and Sober Home):
Pray for the Lord to use the Program Director, Dave Garton, to help the men in the
program open their hearts fully to Christ so that they can be healed of their addictions.
Pray for Men’s Work Parties: SSM especially needs men to come on weekends from
March to June to saw up about 2,000 apple trees so they can sell the wood to restaurants
and campgrounds to provide revenue for SSM.
Pray specially for Greg:
For the Lord to renew his strength and protect his health.
For him to be closely attuned to the Lord and follow His leading as he makes decisions.
For preparations required various ministry trips overseas.
For meetings with Church Leader Liaisons regarding keeping the local churches
informed about the work being done at PFC
For ministry fundraising to be effective.
Contact Info:
PO Box 1530
Woodinville, WA 98072
(425) 483-4151
March 27, 2011 Greg presenting ministry at Christ’s Church
Kent Regional Justice Center
Kent Regional Justice Center
Brundi Prison
Kenya - Thika Prison
Tom Lathrop speaking at Thika Prison in Kenya
Women’s Prison in Kenya
Manila – Rizal Provincial Jail
Greg traveling for PFC
Standing Stones Ministry – outside Wapato, eastern Washington State
Updated: March 2011